Future Black History Month: Lizzo's Inspiring Dedication to Shaking Up the Norm

Jeff Benjamin

Spotlight

Fuse is once again celebrating an extended Black History Month by highlighting a variety of rising forces who are creating Future Black History before our very eyes. Whether it's from her unmistakable rap flow or striking vocal
delivery, anyone with ears can tell there's something special about Lizzo. But the rising star represents something much larger than R&B's exciting new talent.

In every one of her videos and live performances, Lizzo is the undeniable star.
From playing a regal goddess in "Scuse Me" to dance maniac in
"Phone," she shines on her own but also looks to shine the spotlight on those who don't fit the general, cookie-cutter norm many have come to expect in popular music media. In "Phone," we see her and two other
plus-size, black women break it down in a routine that recalls Beyoncé's "Single Ladies" dance while in "Scuse Me" Lizzo
is the lead empress among a slew of badass, bodacious babes all dressed like the
goddesses they are.

Lizzo says these decisions go beyond her own likes and are ultimately to inspire others. She told us last October, "When I look fine as hell, that makes another fat girl feel like she can look fine as hell on stage. When I'm living my truth and saying, 'black lives matter,' a black person can be like, 'I'm living my truth and say black lives matter.'"

Meanwhile, the 28-year-old also wholeheartedly embraces her views in her professional life too. By doing so, Lizzo is also shaking up antiqued norms in the music industry and adds fuel for even more inspiration for young people.

"Everyone on my team is female," she added. "When a girl sees that, they might think, 'I don't even have to be a singer. I could be a creative director, a tour manager, a dancer or a sound engineer or a DJ.' Doing what we're doing so naturally is activism in its own. We're actively being activists by living and being badass women."

With a major-label deal with Atlantic Records (who put out her must-hear EP Coconut Oil in October) and more music expected shortly, there's no way Lizzo won't keep inspiring others even if it's just being the badass she is every day.